Lee Min-ho Makes a Cinematic Comeback with 'Omniscient Reader' After a Decade

Lee Min-ho is set to make a significant return to the big screen with his new film, 'Omniscient Reader.' This marks his first appearance in a Korean movie in 10 years, precisely 3,836 days since his last film. The industry is keenly watching to see if he can overcome his recent string of underwhelming drama performances with this cinematic venture.

The film, starring Lee Min-ho, is scheduled to premiere on the 23rd of next month. 'Omniscient Reader' is a fantasy action movie with a hefty production budget of 30 billion KRW. The story unfolds when the world of a long-running novel becomes reality on the day the novel concludes. The plot follows Kim Dok-ja, played by Ahn Hyo-seop, who encounters this new reality on his subway ride home. Lee Min-ho takes on the role of Yoo Jung-hyuk, the novel's protagonist, who repeatedly travels back in time to save the world.

Lee Min-ho's last Korean film was 'Gangnam 1970,' released on January 21, 2015. Despite initial interest, the film struggled at the box office, with audience numbers dwindling after the second week. Critics pointed out its lack of depth and criticized its action and romance scenes as overly provocative. However, it managed to break even through international sales and secondary markets like IPTV and VOD, attracting a total of 2.19 million viewers.

Lee Min-ho's recent ventures in Korean dramas have also faced challenges. 'The King: Eternal Monarch' (2022) was deemed one of writer Kim Eun-sook's least successful works. Although 'Pachinko' (2022-2024) received global acclaim, it was a foreign production, and Lee Min-ho's role was more supportive, not allowing him to shine as the lead.

Earlier this year, tvN's 'Ask the Stars' was a major disappointment, with its 50 billion KRW budget overshadowed by poor CGI and a confusing storyline, leading to its failure to captivate audiences.

Despite these setbacks, Lee Min-ho's acting prowess remains promising. Criticisms of his recent projects often focus on plot coherence, post-production, and setting, rather than his performance. His acting, particularly in action and emotional scenes, is praised for its maturity, as evidenced by several awards. Lee Min-ho won the Best New Actor at the 52nd Grand Bell Awards for 'Gangnam 1970,' the Top Excellence Award at the 2020 SBS Drama Awards for 'The King: Eternal Monarch,' and the Best Actor and Performer of the Year at the Gold Derby TV Awards for 'Pachinko.'

In 'Omniscient Reader,' Lee Min-ho aims to showcase his refined acting skills. He is expected to captivate audiences with the emotional depth of his character, who harbors a solitary conviction, and deliver intense action sequences that promise both emotional and visual satisfaction.

Lee Min-ho shared, "I spent a lot of time contemplating the loneliness and survival of a man living an immortal life." He added, "Given the character's constant battles, I put significant effort into preparing for the action scenes." He further explained, "I needed to convincingly portray Yoo Jung-hyuk to make the audience believe in the world he inhabits. I focused on ensuring my actions, expressions, and gaze were authentic and not exaggerated."

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr